A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Finzel family of England.
Reg. 7156 · English, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Per bend or and az. a lion ramp. to the sinister counterchanged”
SomersetFrankfort Hall · Somerset, c. 1620
Where the Finzel Arms Were Recorded
Somerset
Map of England showing where the Finzel arms are recorded
The Finzel arms were recorded in Somerset, c. 1620.
Somerset was rich farming country with a thick scattering of manor houses. Its gentry were numerous and long-settled, and a settled landed family almost always ended up with arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Finzel arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Somerset.
Origin & History of the Finzel Family in England
The family name Finzel has deep roots in the English county of Somerset, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. The name is believed to be of German origin, likely arriving in England through waves of migration involving skilled laborers and merchants. During the seventeenth century, Somerset was a hub for trade and agriculture, providing a stable environment for families to establish themselves. As the Finzel family settled into the local community, they became part of the social fabric of the region, participating in the daily life and economic development of the area. Over time, the name became firmly associated with the landscape of the West Country, marking the start of a long history that would eventually see the family expand their influence through industry and trade in the centuries that followed.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Vincenz
Derived from the Latin vincere meaning to conquer or to overcome.
This name
FinzelA diminutive form of the name Vincent, signifying one who is victorious or conquering.
also spelled
Fynzel
Fynzell
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Somerset Heritage Centre, Quarter Sessions Records, Q/SR
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, PROB 11
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lionCourage, strength and royalty
